Page 14 of Forever Yours
She sat, letting her mind wander to listening to one resident ask for a permit to build a small skating rink in their yard. She twitched as an awareness almost like anticipation rushed over her and she slowly turned her head, her eyes meeting Gabe’s, and she couldn’t look away. Her lips tingled and she pursed them together.
“…and I understand we have some new business tonight, is that right, Council President Reardon?”
Devlin snapped to attention, gathering her composure.Stop it, Watkins!
“Yes, thank you, Mr. Campbell.” Janet Reardon continued, “As you know, township bylaws require council approval before any downtown properties are purchased. What we do is issue permits to the winning party then they can go forward with the purchase of the property. We have one property that housed the former Silver Creek Art Gallery that just went for sale. Two parties have expressed interest in the property. Devlin Watkins and Gabriel Atwood. Both own properties downtown already, on either side of the building in question, so they have been approved before. We haven’t had multiple offers on a property since the township law went into effect.”
“Yes, this is an interesting case. What is your recommendation?” the first council person asked.
President Reardon pondered for a moment. “Following Robert’s Rule of Order. we should hear from both of the parties tonight, for a start.” She nodded to Devlin. “Ms. Watkins, would you please come to the microphone and state your reason for wanting to buy the property?”
Devlin stood and walked to the microphone. She cleared her throat before starting. “President Reardon, we live in a college town. College kids need a place to go where they can work on papers and hang out. My coffee shop had brought a space much like this to the Amber Falls downtown, but being able to expand into the new building will give them an additional place to gather and study. Someplace other than their dorm or the college library. My proposal will offer them a place just like this.” She took a breath; confident she’d gotten her vision across.
“Thank you, Ms. Watkins. Mr. Atwood, if you please?”
Devlin sat as Gabe walked to the microphone. He shot a glance at Devlin before starting. “Downtowns are what make a city. You can have as many tree-lined streets, parks or festivals as you want, but the heart is always downtown. We can’t deny that college kids want a place to be themselves. Expanding Finnegan’s Bar to include an all-ages eatery will benefit not only the college crowd, but it’ll bring in families with young children downtown where the hope is they will visit more shops. This is the growth we’re looking for. Thank you.”
Gabe avoided her eyes as he walked back to his seat. Devlin focused on the council people, who were talking in hushed voices, occasionally looking at Devlin and Gabe before President Reardon once again addressed them. “Since this is the first time we’ve had multiple people interested in the same property, we’ve decided that we’d like written proposals from both of you. We’ll adjourn today’s meeting and have a special session four weeks from now. The proposals will be due to us no later than the Friday before this session. Thank you.”
The meeting was over. Devlin stood and turned to see Gabe already walking out of the door, and Annabelle making her way toward her.
“Annabelle, I didn’t see you here.”
“I was in the back, I got here late. His Highness told me to cover the meeting then kept me late at the office. I had to run here, and I donotwear footwear that’s made for running.”
“You heard the end at least?” Devlin asked.
“I did. What you said was good, but your proposal’s gotta be great. You’re going up against a longtime business owner and one of the town’s darling sons.”
“Don’t remind me. He made some damn good points.” Devlin grimaced. “Don’t tell him I said that!”
Annabelle laughed. “I won’t. At least four weeks is long enough to make your proposal perfect.”
“I can’t believe you’re on my side in this.”
“Of course I am, Dev, but I’m not taking sides. A local coffee shop is always on the top of my list.”
“I hope it’s on the top of the town council’s list, too.”
“It will be, I guarantee it. Oh! Pru mentioned having a ladies’ night on Friday, can you make it?”
Emma was going to be opening the shop on Saturday morning and Devlin could think of no better way to spend her Friday night than with her best friends. “You can count me in.”
Chapter Five
It had been days since the meeting.The meeting? No, it had been days since he’d gotten to kiss Devlin again. Gabe was at Finnegan’s, and he wasn’t paying attention to the conversation around him. Greyson, Sebastian and Chuck were at a table with him, but he was thinking only of Devlin. The roughness of the brick wall in contrast to the softness of her body. The way her hair had slid through his fingers, the short length making him come back to run them through that silk again. Devlin wrapping her legs around him and cradling his erection as he pushed her against the wall—
“I hope you concentrate on your game as much as you’re concentrating on whatever’s going through your head right now, since we’re partners this week.” Sebastian clinked his glass against Gabe’s to get his attention.
They were gathered for their Thursday night Finnegan’s Gentleman’s Ye Olde Dart League, named late one night after quite a few drinks. They didn’t meet every Thursday, but rather when their schedules allowed. Gabe took a sip of his whiskey and composed his thoughts. As if that afternoon hadn’t been in the front of his mind all week. “I’ve got the proposal on my mind,” Gabe lied.
“Proposal?” Chuck leaned in conspiratorially. “I didn’t know you were dating anyone.”
“No, I’m talking about a proposal for the town council.” Gabe rolled his eyes. “The owner of Books and Beans and I both want to buy the old Silver Creek Art Gallery building to expand into. We had the meeting on Monday”—he swallowed, the feeling of Devlin’s hands on his ass still imprinted in his mind—“and they want both of us to put together a written proposal before they decide.”
“The town council getting involved in sales is ridiculous. One thing happened a hundred years ago, and they just can’t forget it,” Greyson complained.
“Oh, now I’m interested,” Sebastian broke in. “What happened?”